Report: Chris Coghlan signs with Chicago Cubs

     Chris Coghlan's up-and-down odyssey with the Marlins is over. Coghlan has signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, that will pay him $800,000 if he makes the majors and an additional $250,000 in incentives based on plate appearances.

      The Marlins had non-tendered Coghlan but also spoken to him about returning.

      Coghlan's career with the Marlins involved many twists and turns, and more than a few hard landings -- literally and figuratively.

       One season after winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2009 -- an honor built largely on two outstanding months the second half of that season -- he sustained a damaging knee injury while planting a shaving cream pie in the face of teammate Wes Helms following a walk-off victory.

        Coghlan never managed to get on track after that, as he battled knee and back issues, moved from one position to another, and ever re-discovered the hitting consistency that made him so successful as a rookie.

        ______________

        Giancarlo Stanton, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have all filed for salary arbitration, as expected. If the players don't reach agreement by Friday's deadline when salary figures are exchanged, they'll have their 2014 salaries determined by an independent arbitrator. The Marlins have a standing policy of refusing to negotiate further and going to arbitration once figures are exchanged.